Welded spindle construction



Q. ALLEN April 2% 1843.

WELDED S PINDLE CONS TRUCTION Filed Aug. 2, 1941 Patented, Apr. 20,

ummii ST TES PATENT OFFICE 1 I I 2 3 7 92; I p r I wsnnansrmppa CONSTRUCTION Robert G. Allen, Wauwatosa, Wis... assignor to,

Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing .Company, Mil- ,waukee, Wia, a corporation oi Delaware Application August 2. 1941, Serial No. 405,137 9 Claims. (crass-a9) This invention relates generally to turbines and more particularly to a builtup rotor or spindle construction for elastic fluid turbines. w

The primary object 'of this invention is to provide an improved turbine I rotor construction of builtup form which will eliminate many of the diillculties formerly experienced in connection 3 5 I the projection 2 3.disposed in spaced opposed'relation :with respect to the side surface oi'the' with the construction andoper'ation of turbines/ i f /i embodying rotors of this type.

In accordance with this'invention; a plurality of rotor forming members, whichare'usually in the'nature of circulari'cr annular disks; are corfperipheral groove 24-which is concentric with rectly positioned and ,weldedtogether in a novel manner providing an inexpensive structure which is much stronger than that-heretofore obtained with the previously known types 'ofcom' struction. A v

The invention accordinglyconsists of the var ious features of construction,"combinations of elements and) arrangements 'ot, pa .rts as more fully pointed out: in the appended claims and in the detailed descriptiomin which? I Fig. 1 illustrates a portion of-a turbine rotor constructed in accordance with this invention Fig. 2 is an enlarged partial sectional view of one i'orm of rotor disk shown in Fig. .1;

Fig. 3 is'an enlarged partial ssect'ionaliview of another form of rotor disk shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged partial sectional viewgot still another formpfrotor disk shown in Fig. 1';

and

I Fig. 5 illustrates thefdisks shownin Figs. 2, 3

and 4 in assembled relation. r

Reier'ring to the drawing;-and-particularly ill ,for the purpose I set J ection 23 extending in overlying spaced relation withres'pectjto' aportion of the upper surface of the prpjection 22fland with the side-surface'oi Theprojections 2| and 22 phone disk member thusc'o'act with the projection 23 on the nextadjacent'diskv member to. form therewith a respect to the axis or the disks and which'shas' a laterally enlarged inner portion26 giving the groove a cross-sectional configuration of approximate inverted'T-shape. The enlarged inner portion 26 of the groove 24is adapted to receive a chili ring 21 and in assembling a structure of this type, the chill ring 21 is first placed between the projections 2| and 22 in the manner shown in Fig. 2, and then the disks are brought into the relationship shown in Fig. 5 thereby providing a groove for theweld metal whic'his' defined by the opposed side surfaces of themejections '2 land 23 and the exposed outer surface of the chill ring 2:1. The disk portion l3 0! the end member 2 .is provided with a'projection 28 which'is identical to the projection 23 on the disk members "i and'the proiectionsji and 22 on th djacent disk member! ccact with the projection 28 in exactly the same manner and forth in connectionwith the description of the disk members 1. The progjectio'ns' 22, 23and 28 are provided with pasmediate bladefcarrying disk "members 1,3 and '3. The end members 2 and are provided with axial bores l0 and ll, "respectivelygand with K axially spaced blade carrying {disk portions i2,

l3 and I4; I 6. respectively. 7

The disk membersl," of which two are shown,

each have an axially thickened center portion-11 provided with an openi'n'g 'IB extending axially The outer portion 36, as best shownin Fig. 3,

therethrough and an axially thickened concentric outer portion l9. Theportion i9,- as best shown in Fig. 2, presentson" one side thereof two spaced concentric laterally extending projections 2| and 22 and on its opposite side a steppedproiection 23. The projection 22, which is of greater axial width than the projection 2|, is adapted to abut a stepped portion of the projection 23 on the next adjacent disk member and thereby position sages- '29, 3| and 32, respectively, which are alined, when the end disk members are correctly *assembl'edto provide vent passages 30 placing the'interior oi-th'e hollow spindle in communication with the spaces between the rows of blades mounted thereon as is. clearly shown in Fig. 1'." I

, The disk'member 8 is also provided with a thickened center portion 33 having an opening extending axially therethrough and having an axially thickened concentric outer portion 36.

presents on opposite sides thereof two spaced concentric laterally extending projections 31, 33 and, ll. The spaced projections 31 and 38 are identical in shape and arrangement to the projections 2i and 22 onthe disk members I and are adapted to engage the stepped protection 23 on the adjacent disk member 1 inexactly the same manner and for the purpose specifically set forth in the description of the disks I. The

- projection 23' on and on its opposite 'face of the projection 48 projection 38' is provided with a passage ll adapted for alinement with the-passage 31 in the the next adjacent disk member 'l.

The disk members 9, of which three are shown, each has an axially thickened center portion 42 Y provided with an axially extending opening 43 and an axially thickened concentric outer portion '44-. The portion 44, as best shown in Fig. 4, presents'on one side thereof two spaced concentric laterally extending projections 40 and 41 side a stepped projection 40. The projection 41', which is of greater axial width than the projection 40, is adapted to abut a stepped portion of the projection 48 on the next adjacent disk member and thereby position adjacent disk members in coaxial relation with the remainder of the stepped portion of the projection 4! extending in overlying spaced relation face of the projection 48 and with the side sur disposed in spaced opposed relation with respect to theside surface of the projection 48. The projections 48 and 41 I on the disk member 9 and the projections 46 and 41 on the adjacent disk member-s coact with" the projection 53 in exactly the same manner and for the purpose set forth in connection with the disk members i 9. Theprojec-' description of the tions 41, 48 and 51 are provided with passages I4, 58 and 51, respectively, whicharel alined, when the end and disk members are correctly assembled-to provide vent passages 50 placing the interior of 'thehollow spindle in communication with the'spaces ing blades as is clearly shown in Fig. i; The spaced projections ss and 4|.on the-disk member I are identical in shape the projections 46 and 41 on the disk members I and are adapted to engage the stepped projection 48 on the adjacent disk member 9 inexactly the same manner as specifically set forth in the description of the disks 9.

The illustrated rotor structure is assembled by placing a chill ring 21 on the disk member I in the manner shown in Fig. 2, then placing the disk member-I on the end member 2 (the projec-s tions 2i and 22 coact with projection to position and maintain the disk I in coaxial alinement with the end member ii then filling the remaining portion of the peripheral groove which is defined by the exposed outer surface of the chill ring 21 and the spaced opposed side surfaces on the projections II and 2 with weld metal 40, inserting a radium capsule or the like through the opening l8 in the disk member. 'I and holding it in the space between the end member 2 and the disk member 1, then radiographing the weld, and if the weld is found to be satisfactory, removing the radium capsule and then inserting and securing in the opening with respect to a portion of the upper suron the next adjacent disk member to form 3 is provided with a pro-v V jection 53 which is identical to the projection 48.

between the rows of mov-f and arrangement to the groove 49 is adapted to spaced opposed is, in any suitable manner such as by welding. a seal member 58. If more than one disk member 1 is to be employed, the additional members are provided with chili rings and assembled and welded in place one at a time in the manner just outlined. The assemblage of this one end portion of the rotor is then completed by the addition of the disk member and secured in place on the last disk member 1 in exactly the same manner the firstdisk member I is positioned and secured on the end member 2. The other end portion of the rotor is then completed by assembling the end member 3 and disk members =9 in exactly the same manner as set forth with respect to the end member I and disk members I, and when this has been accomplished, the spindle is completed by placing the previously assembled end portions of the spindle in abutting relation as indicated in Fig. 5 and filling the peripheral groove defined by the exposed outer surface of the chill ring ii and the side surfaces on the projections 30 and 48 with weld metal 40. This weld is than radiographed by inserting a radium capsule or thelike through the -ilwformedin the relatively large vent passage disk member The completed rotor is then he at treated toobtain the desired or requisite physical properties and to eliminate any stress concentration which may have resulted from the welding operations.

The central openings "is, u and is in the disk members 1, 8 and '9, respectively; permit the circumferen'tial welds uniting the disks to be readily radiographed and the insertion of the seal 7 shown in- Fig.

the openings {10. 14 and 41 as 1 prevents the steam-orother momembers 58 in a vtive fluid rr m lay-P s ing the mo'vino blades by enteringthe spaces between adjacent disk members and .tne sewmrzthrousnt e ma alined centraYopeningsIprovided The adl 1 mission of motive fluid into the spaces between adjacent disk passing of the motive fluid therethrough as above pointedout) and mm the mbores tune o provided in the shaft portions 4 andl; respectively, is highly desirable in thatit eflects a rapid a and uniform heating and cooling'of the spindle clearly shownin Fig.

whenever operation of the turbine is initiated and terminated, respectively, and. in that it acts to maintain a more uniform. spindle temperature during periods of operation. chill rings 21 and 52, each of which has'a substantially smooth cylindrical outer surface, are of materially greater axial width thanrthe distance the proximate portions of the side surfaces presented by the'pairs of opposed projections. and 28, "and '23; and as and are spaced apart as is I 5. The weld metal 40 unites the opposed side surfaces of said pairs of projectionswith the exposed portion of the outer the associated chill ring of each chill ring and the abutting cylindrical surface portions of the said pairs of projections extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the spindle. Stated differently, each pair of projections includes axially spaced coaxial cylindrical surfaces disposed in abutting relation-with axially spaced portions of the outer coaxial cylindrical surface of the associated chill ring.

In'this connection, itis now established that the cracks incipient or otherwise which tend to cause a structure to fail are those which extend either at right angles or transversely with respect 8 which is positioned 7 members (not thebyto theprincipal stress therein; that the prim; cipal stress in the welded'ioints-uniting rotor corner constituting in enact an incipient crack) extend or enlarge in'th e general ydirection of a. line bisecting theangle included between said surfaces. Consequently, in order to provides..- durable welded rotor, the disk elements thereof must be united by a construction 'whieh v eliminates the formation or enlargement of incipient cracks in a direction transversely with respect tothe direction of the principal stress therein.

result is accomplished in the hereinbefore; scribed construction, as it is readily ,seen; par ticular attention being directed to Fig. 5, that if cracks are produced at the niche or corner formed by the junction of the upper surface of the chill ring and the side wall of the groove,

the cracks if enlarged .will extend in a direction substantially parallel with respect to that of the principal stress, thereby avoiding the weakened construction which'would result if said cracks were to extend radially and transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rotor and the principal stress, respectively. The added 30 function ancl utility aiforded by the chill ring andgroove construction herein shown and 'de-' scribed is to so locate the incipientcracks that thedirection inwhich, such a crack .0! cracks will naturally progress is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis ofthe spindle thereby rendering the presence and enlargement of incipient cracks (thecracks existing between the outer surface of the chill ring and the abutting surface portions of the associated pair oi projections arein'eifect incipient cracks) ineffective to weaken the bond of weld metal uniting the spaced opposed surface portions of the pair 'of grooveforming projection's.. In other words, the

location "of the incipient; cracka, i.'-;e., the cracks existing between-the outer surface of the chill ring andithe abutting surfaceportions of the. as-

stress potential (thelocalstresses) tending to produce a radial crack in the ;bond oi weld metal is either a min'iniumjor materially less than the stress potentialtending to produce an axially extending crack therein and as a result if the bond of weld metal does crack, the crack will extendin a direction approximately parallel to' the axis of the spindle and will not weaken the bond of weld metal uniting the spaced opposed surface portions of the pairs of groove forming projections.

This feature is of particular importance and a builtup welded spindle construction embodying this feature in combination with means for correctly positioning and maintaining the spindle forming disk members in their proper 'coopera- I tive relationship during the welding operation materially reduces construction costs without in any manner reducing the stress resistant properties of the resulting structure. In fact, the stress resistant properties of a builtup welded spindle structure embodying the above mentioned combination .of features are far superior to the builtup welded spindle structures embodying the positioning means heretofore employed in constructions of this type. The invention is of general application with respect to the confof the rotor and surfaces including abutting positioning surfaces struction of builtup welded turbine spindles and although the invention is illustrated and described as applied to a double flow type of turbine spindle, it should be understood that it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact details of construction herein shown and described =as various modifications within the scope of the H I u appended claims may occur to persons skilled in always act in a manner causing the,craclr to I {It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters the 18.1'17.

" torforr'ning members, said members having opposed portions provided with laterally extending projections concentrically disposed with respect 'tozthe axis of the rotor, said projections presentting' positioning surfaces and axially spaced :side surfaces surrounding and forming with an 2 exposed portion of oneof said positioning surfaces a .circumferentially' extending concentric groove having a laterally enlarged inner por- 7 tion, a chill 'ringdisposed in and substantially filling the laterally enlarged inner portion of said groove, and weld metal deposited-in and substantially filling the remaining outer portion oi said groove. V

2. A builtup turbine rotor comprising tworotor forming members having opposed side portions concentrically disposed with respect to the axis of the ro or, said side portions-pnesentingopposed irregular surfaces including abutting-positibn-- ing surfaces and axiallyllspaced side surfaces surrounding and formingwith an exposed portlon of one of said positioning surfaces of peripheral groove concentric with respect to the axis of the rotor, said groove including a laterally enlarged inner portion formed by said axially spaced side surfaces having circumferential por- 40 tions extending in spaced overlying relationv with respect to a part of said one positioning surface, a chill ring disposed in and substantially filling the enlarged inner portion of said groove, and weld metal substantially filling the remaining outer portion ofsaid groove.

Y 3. A builtup turbine rotor comprising two rotor r forming members having opposed side portions sociated pairs of projections, is such that the 1 concentrically disposed with respect to the axis presenting opposed irregular and axially'spaced side surfaces defining a peripheral groove concentric with respect to the axis of the rotor, said groove having a laterally enlarged inner portion formed by said axially spaced side surfaces having circumferential por- 7 ing outer portion of said groove.

4. A builtup turbine rotor comprising two rotor forming disk members, said disk members having side portions adjacent their peripheries provided with laterally extending projections concentrically disposed with respect to the axis of the rotor, said projections presenting irregular surfaces including abutting'positioning surfaces and axially spaced side surfaces defining with an exposed portion of one of said positioning surfaces a circumferentlally extending concentric groove having a cross-sectional configuration of approximate inverted T-shape, a chill ring disposed in and substantially filling the 15 laterally enlarged inner portion of said groove,

. ing opposed irregular surfaces including abutv and weld metal depositedin and substantially bers also h'avin'gjside portions adjacent their peripheries provided with laterally extendingopposedprojections concentrically disposed with ffrespect to the axis of the rotor and presenting positioningsurfaces'comprising portions of the I projection on'jone' disk member abutting and concentrically engag'ing portions of the projec-v tion on the other'disk member, said projections .also"presenting'faxially spaced side surfaces de- .finijng'therebetweenia circumferentially extending'eoncentric' groove having a laterally enlarged inner portion formedfby portions arena side ripheral groove concentric with respect to. the

axis of the rotor, and weld metal'substantialiy filling said groove.

8. A' builtup turbine rotor comprising a first "rotor forming disk member having on onefside thereof spaced inner andiouter axially extending projections concentrically disposed with re- 'spectfto each other and with respect to the axis of the disk with "the inner projection extending axial width than said --inner p a substantial distance" beyond the outer projection in the axiardirection, 'achili-Tin! of greater axial width than'sa'id outerffprojectioniand of less "rejection disposed between said inner and'oute'rprojections, a second rotor forming disk rrie'niber having concentrically disposed-onone side thereof an axially I extending stepped projection'engaging the-exsurfaces andan'fexposed portion of one of said.

j positioningsurfaces, a chill ring disposed in-and substantially fllling'the enlarged inner portion of said groove, weld metal depositedin and substantially filling the remaining'outer portion of said groove, and a seal member closing said central openings. V 1 6. A builtup turbine rotor-comprising a first rotor formingmember having concentrically disposed on one side thereof 'a laterally extending projection, a chill ring disposed on and covering a substantial portion'oi the outer surface of said projection, a second rotor forming member having concentrically disposed on one side thereof a laterally extending projection engaging the exposed outer surface of the projection on said first disk member and a portion of the upper surface of said chill ring and forming with said first disk member and chill ring'a peripheral groove concentric with respect to the axis of the rotor,

and weld metal deposited in and substantially filling said groove and thereby uniting said first disk member, said projection on the second disk member,'and said chill ring.

7k A builtup turbine rotor comprising a first rotoriorming disk member having on one side thereof spaced inner and outer laterally extending projections concentrically disposed with respect to each other andwith respect to the axis of'the disk, said inner projection being of subposed outer surface of said inner projection and a portion of the exposed outer surface of said chill ring and forming with said outer projection and chill ring a peripheral groove concentricwith respect to the axis of the-rotor, and weld substantially filling said groove.

9. A' builtup turbine rotor comprising sfirst rotor forming disk member having on one side thereof spaced inner and outer axially extending projections concentrically disposed with respect to each other and with respect to the axis of the disk with the inner projectionextending beyond 'the -outer"projectlon a substantial distance in the axial direction, a second rotor forming disk member having on one side thereof a stepped projection defined by contiguous surfaces concentrically disposed-with=resgctto the axls'of the disk and including a first su'rface abutting the side surface of said inner projection, a second surface engaging the portion of the exposed outer surface of the said inner projection adjacent said side surface, a third surface extending in overlying spaced opposed relation with respect to the'portion of the exposed outer surface of the said inner projection adjoining said adjacent portion, and, a fourth surface disposed in spaced opposed relation with respect to the I face coasting to define a peripheral groove which stantially greateraxial width than said outer projection, a chill ring of greater axialwidth than said outer projection and of less axial width than said'inner projection disposed. between said inner and outer projections, a second rotor forming disk member having concentrically disposed 'on one side thereof a laterally extending stepped projection engaging the exposed outer surface of said inner projection and a portion of the exposed outer surface of said chill ring and forming with said outer projection and chill ring a pesaid chill ring.

is concentric with respect to the axis of the rotor and which is of greater axial width than the distance between said outer projection and said fourth surface, a-chill ring disposed in and substantially filling the inner portion of said groove, and weld metal disposed in and substantially filling "the outer-portion of said groove thereby uniting said outer projection, said fourth surface and the exposed portion ofthe outer surface of ROBERTO. ALLEN, 

